Winter Plumbing Tips and Advice for North Texas Homeowners

Winter in North Texas can be unpredictable. One day temperatures may be in the 60s, and a few days later the Dallas-Fort Worth area can experience a hard freeze.

Those sudden temperature changes can be particularly tough on your home’s plumbing.

Frozen pipes, damaged outdoor faucets, water heater problems, and burst water lines can quickly turn a cold night into an expensive plumbing emergency. The good news is that many winter plumbing problems can be prevented with a little preparation.

Total Plumbing Service Inc. has served homeowners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex since 1996. Here are some of our most important winter plumbing tips and advice to help protect your home when temperatures drop.

1. Disconnect Your Garden Hoses Before a Freeze

One of the easiest ways to prepare your plumbing for winter is also one of the most commonly overlooked.

Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets before freezing temperatures arrive.

When a hose remains connected, water can become trapped inside the hose and faucet assembly. If that water freezes and expands, it can put additional pressure on the connected plumbing.

After disconnecting your hoses, check exterior faucets for dripping or visible damage.

Don’t wait until the night of a freeze to discover that an outdoor faucet needs repair.

2. Protect Exposed Water Pipes

Pipes located inside the conditioned portions of your home generally receive some protection from freezing temperatures. Plumbing in colder or exposed areas can be more vulnerable.

Pay particular attention to water lines located in:

• Garages

• Attics

• Crawl spaces

• Exterior walls

• Outdoor kitchens

• Unheated utility areas

Appropriate pipe insulation can provide additional protection for vulnerable plumbing.

If your home has experienced frozen pipes during previous winters, those areas deserve extra attention before the next freeze.

3. Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is Located

Every North Texas homeowner should know how to shut off the water to their house.

If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water quickly can significantly reduce the amount of water entering your home.

Find your main water shutoff before winter weather arrives and make sure it’s accessible.

Other adults in your household should know where it is too.

When water is pouring into your home isn’t the time to start searching for the valve.

4. Pay Attention to the Weather Forecast

North Texas winter weather can change quickly.

When freezing temperatures are forecast, take action before temperatures fall below freezing.

Give yourself enough time to:

• Disconnect garden hoses

• Protect vulnerable exterior plumbing

• Check exposed pipes

• Locate your water shutoff

• Address existing plumbing leaks

• Make appropriate preparations for your home’s plumbing system

Pay particular attention when temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for an extended period.

The longer your plumbing is exposed to freezing temperatures, the greater the concern can become.

5. Open Cabinets During Extremely Cold Weather

Some plumbing fixtures are located against exterior walls where the pipes may be exposed to colder temperatures.

During severe cold, opening cabinet doors beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks can allow warmer household air to circulate around the plumbing.

Make sure household chemicals, cleaning products, and other potentially dangerous materials remain inaccessible to children and pets when cabinets are open.

This isn’t a substitute for properly protecting vulnerable plumbing, but it can be one additional precaution during extreme weather.

6. Should You Drip Your Faucets?

You’ve probably heard the advice to leave faucets dripping during freezing weather.

Allowing a small amount of water to move through certain vulnerable pipes may help in some situations, but it shouldn’t be treated as the only strategy for preventing frozen plumbing.

The best approach depends on your home’s plumbing configuration, pipe location, insulation, and the severity of the weather.

Protecting exposed pipes, keeping the home heated, and following appropriate winterization procedures are still important.

If you’re unsure how to prepare a particularly vulnerable area of your plumbing, ask a licensed plumber before freezing temperatures arrive.

7. Never Use an Open Flame to Thaw a Frozen Pipe

If you turn on a faucet during freezing weather and little or no water comes out, a pipe may be frozen.

Never use a torch, lighter, or other open flame to thaw plumbing.

Excessive heat can damage pipes and create a serious fire hazard.

If you can safely identify a frozen section, gradual warming may be appropriate depending on the situation. However, remember that a frozen pipe may already be damaged.

Sometimes the leak doesn’t become apparent until the ice begins thawing.

If you’re unsure what to do, shut off the water if necessary and call a licensed plumber.

8. Watch Closely When Temperatures Rise

The danger isn’t necessarily over once temperatures climb above freezing.

A frozen pipe can develop a crack while the water inside is frozen. The ice may temporarily prevent significant water from escaping.

Once the pipe thaws, water can begin flowing through the damaged section.

After a hard freeze, inspect your home for:

• Unexplained water sounds

• Wet walls or ceilings

• Damp cabinets

• Water around exterior walls

• Reduced water pressure

• Water meter movement

• Unusual moisture around the home

If something doesn’t seem right, investigate it quickly.

9. Make Sure Your Water Heater Is Ready for Winter

Your water heater becomes even more important during cold weather.

Incoming water temperatures are colder, and households may use more hot water for showers, baths, cleaning, and other daily activities.

Watch for signs that your water heater may need attention:

• Hot water running out quickly

• Inconsistent water temperatures

• Water taking longer to heat

• Unusual popping or rumbling noises

• Discolored hot water

• Water leaking around the tank

• Frequent repairs

If your water heater is already struggling before winter, consider having it inspected rather than waiting until you’re completely without hot water.

A licensed plumber can determine whether water heater repair or replacement makes the most sense.

10. Don’t Ignore Existing Plumbing Leaks

A small leak doesn’t become less important because winter is approaching.

Repair dripping outdoor faucets, leaking supply lines, running toilets, and other known plumbing problems before freezing weather arrives.

You should also pay attention to unexplained water usage.

If your water meter continues moving when everything in the home is turned off, you may have a hidden leak.

Professional water leak detection can help determine whether the problem involves an underground water line, plumbing beneath the slab, or another part of your system.

11. What Should You Do if a Pipe Bursts?

If you discover a burst water pipe, act quickly.

First, shut off your home’s main water supply.

Then, if it’s safe to do so, take steps to protect belongings and prevent additional water from spreading.

Call a licensed plumber to locate and repair the damaged plumbing.

If significant water has entered the home, additional water-remediation services may also be necessary.

Avoid restoring the water supply until you’re confident the damaged pipe has been properly addressed.

12. Don’t Forget Your Plumbing When Leaving Town

Traveling during the holidays or winter months?

Prepare your plumbing before you leave.

Don’t turn your home’s heat completely off during freezing weather. Check for existing leaks, disconnect outdoor hoses, and make sure vulnerable plumbing is appropriately protected.

Depending on your home’s plumbing system and travel plans, additional precautions may be appropriate.

The goal is to avoid returning from vacation to discover that a plumbing problem has been leaking unattended for days.

Prepare Your Plumbing Before the Next North Texas Freeze

North Texas winters may be relatively short, but it only takes one severe freeze to cause significant plumbing damage.

The best time to prepare isn’t when temperatures have already fallen below freezing. Take care of vulnerable pipes, outdoor faucets, water heater problems, and existing leaks ahead of time.

And make sure everyone in your household knows how to shut off the water in an emergency.

Need a Plumber This Winter? Call Total Plumbing Service Inc.

If freezing temperatures cause a plumbing problem in your home, Total Plumbing Service Inc. is here to help.

Our licensed plumbers provide professional frozen and burst pipe repair, water leak detection, water line repair, water heater repair and replacement, drain cleaning, sewer services, and general plumbing repairs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex.

Total Plumbing Service Inc. has served North Texas homeowners since 1996. Whether you’re preparing your plumbing before a freeze or dealing with damage afterward, we’ll properly diagnose the problem, explain your options, and help get your plumbing working again.

Contact Total Plumbing Service Inc. today for professional plumbing service throughout Dallas-Fort Worth.